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Thinking about having something Gold Plated?

Here's how our company works...

1. Determining a gold plating cost estimate by phone or e-mail.

Just call us toll free at (800) 531-1300 or click here.  We will first ask you a few simple questions about the characteristics of the item(s) you want to have gold plated.  

Try to pre-measure the dimensions before calling if possible, note the physical condition and describe to us over the phone or by e-mail the item(s) you want to have gold plated.

Knowing the exact dimensions prior to contacting us is not critical, although it gives us a better idea of the item(s) size and unique characteristics and we can give you a more exact plating cost estimate.

2. Condition of the item(s) you want to gold plate.

It is important that the item(s) you are sending in are in fairly good condition.  The pre-existing condition of the item(s) usually determines the quality and appearance of the finished product.

After we have a description of the item(s), we will calculate an estimated gold plating cost and give you a verbal or written quote over the telephone or by e-mail.

Some items can be restored that are in really bad shape. Every item is different. It all just depends on how deep the oxidation and "pitting" are in the base metal, the detail of the surface of the item, the physical shape, thickness of the item, etc..

The old finish (chrome, gold, silver, copper, nickel, etc.) is stripped and the "base metal" (the metal the part was cast of made from i.e. brass, zinc, white metal, pewter, steel, etc.) is meticulously wet-sanded with a regiment of different grits and grades of emery cloth by hand to remove deep corrosion and "pits", polished and buffed on a polishing lathe and cleaned for the plating process.

Restoring the old gold plated surface is a lost art and not many real professionals are still around (or alive). The whole restoration and gold plating process involves many years of experience and "hands-on" work to reproduce a masterpiece! 

3. Sending your item(s) to Three Rivers Gold.

If you determine you want your item(s) to be gold plated, the next step is to send us the item(s) you want to be plated. We suggest wrapping your item(s) individually in tissue paper, newspaper or bubble wrap and placing them in the center of a corrugated cardboard box using packing media (newspaper or Styrofoam peanuts) to cushion your items for the journey through the mail to our factory.

If you are uncertain about preparing the package yourself, we suggest that you take your items to a retail shipper like "Mail Boxes, Etc." or "PostNet" to prepare and ship your box to us.  Upon arrival to our plant we will assess the item and contact you with an exact final gold plating cost before the work is performed.

With your approval, Three Rivers will proceed to plate your item with a beautiful pure .999+ gold metal finish.

Need an estimated cost to ship your items to us? Use our shipping calculator to figure your costs!

United Parcel Service (UPS)

4. Shipment of your parts from our factory back to you.

Your items will be returned by UPS Ground Service or the U.S. Postal Service usually within one to two weeks. Ask about our "GOLD EXPRESS SERVICE" for a fast 1-2 day turnaround!  

You don't necessarily have to call us first, just send us your items! If you prefer, you can send the items directly to us without contacting us first. In that case, we will assess your items and contact you first with the plating quote before performing your work. Please include in writing your telephone number or e-mail address and the best time of the day to be contacted.

5. Types of items that we work with.

We electroplate a genuine "pure 24 Karat Gold" finish onto a wide variety of items that have original surfaces that are worn, oxidized, slightly rusted or originally coated, lacquered or painted.

We re-plate items that have worn, cracked or peeling plated finishes (like old worn gold or silver plating, oxidized brass plating (blue-green discoloring), worn or oxidized copper/nickel and/or chrome plated surfaces, worn rhodium and platinum plating. We can fix faded or weathered gold plating which have been plated by other platers or companies.  

We strip and refinish the surface of your item(s). Each piece is handled with the highest degree of skill and restoration craftsmanship.

We can plate gold onto a wide variety of base metals such as:

Aluminum (all alloys and grades) Stainless Steel (all alloys and grades) Pewter and White Metal Castings Zinc and Lead Castings Pot Metal Castings Steel and Iron Brass and Copper, titanium, etc. Almost any other metal or alloy.

6. Items that we do not gold plate.

Please do not send us non-conductive items such as glass, plastic, wood, etc. they will not plate. Do not send in real karat jewelry, these items are already solid gold. Your local jewelry can polish, buff and clean your old karat jewelry to give it a new finish.